Blog - The Purbottar

31 Jan

Statue of Ahom dynasty founder unveiledn Guwahati

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday unveiled a statue of Ahom dynasty founder Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha in Guwahati and recalled his contribution in uniting diverse communities.Paying tributes to him on the occasion of 'Me-Dam-Me-Phi', a religious event of the Tai-Ahom community during which offerings are made to gods and ancestors, Sarma said,"Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha established one of the greatest kingdoms of Bharatvarsha, a realm guided by consensus and rooted in the protection of heritage and identity. Today, on the sacred occasion of Me-Dam-Me-Phi, we dedicated his Bhavya Murti in the heart of Guwahati."The Chief Minister's Office (CMO), in…

31 Jan

PM E-DRIVE certification reshapes India’s electric truck market as Montra delivers first heavy-duty EV to UltraTech

Business BureauBusiness

Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV business of the Murugappa Group, has emerged as a first mover in India’s electric heavy truck market after becoming the country’s first manufacturer to receive certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The company marked the milestone by delivering the first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck the Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement Limited, signalling growing institutional demand for zero-emission freight solutions. The vehicle was flagged off and handed over by Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Private Limited), in the presence of senior executives from both organisations. Market…

31 Jan

Amid “Miya” Comment Row, Sarma Invokes Gandhi; Congress Accuses BJP of Diversion Tactics

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Amid a heightened political and ideological conflict surrounding comments made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding "Miya Muslims," Sarma defended his government's stance on illegal immigration by referencing Mahatma Gandhi. He asserted that protecting Assam’s identity and constitutional rights should not be conflated with hatred or communalism. In response to criticism from Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, Sarma claimed that the late leader would have sided with the Assamese if he were alive today, citing that Gandhi had previously advocated for Assam's territorial integrity during the Partition. Sarma contended that “Bapu” would have supported the Assamese people's fight against…

31 Jan

Tata Motors CV business posts strong Q3 FY26 on higher volumes, margins improve

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors Limited has reported a strong performance in its Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, driven by higher volumes, improved realizations and disciplined cost management. The CV business recorded revenue of ₹21,533 crore in Q3 FY26, up 17% year-on-year, while EBITDA rose 19% to ₹2,700 crore. EBITDA margin improved to 12.7%, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of double-digit margins, while EBIT margin crossed the double-digit mark to 10.6%. Profit before tax (before exceptional items) increased by ₹609 crore to ₹2,290 crore. Free cash flow surged to ₹4,752 crore during the quarter. Strong operating performance…

31 Jan

Sunfeast Wowzers dials up indulgence with ‘Cheesier’ new youth-focused campaign

Business BureauBusiness

As indulgence-led snacking continues to evolve, young consumers are increasingly seeking products that deliver intensity, personality and share-worthy experiences beyond taste alone. Responding to this shift, Sunfeast Wowzers from ITC Ltd. has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Wowzers Cheesy Nahi Cheesier’, promising to deliver a heightened ‘wow’ in every bite. The new communication highlights Wowzers’ signature 28-layer cracker enrobed in an indulgent cheesy crème, positioning the snack as not just cheesy in flavour but “cheesier” in experience. Conceptualised by Ogilvy, the campaign film is set in a vibrant, high-energy environment and captures spontaneous snack moments among friends, reflecting contemporary youth culture.…

31 Jan

Doctor says, Road Safety is a Public Health Priority

Business BureauBusiness

Road accidents are among the leading causes of injury, disability, and death globally. While most incidents are preventable, they continue to place a heavy burden on families, healthcare systems, and society. From a medical perspective, road safety must be viewed as a public health responsibility that extends beyond traffic regulations and requires conscious behaviour from every road user. Dr Kunal Kanti Pal, Orthopaedic Consultant at CMRI Kolkata, said his experience in emergency and trauma care highlights the real and lasting impact of unsafe roads. “As an orthopaedic surgeon working in emergency care, I see the consequences of road accidents every…

31 Jan

Local Participation Helps Mitigate Human–Wildlife Conflict in Pobitora Landscape

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A series of community-based initiatives around Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary have proven effective in decreasing human–animal conflict (HAC) and enhancing local support for the conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Spanning 38.81 square kilometers, Pobitora is home to 107 rhinos, the highest density globally. Challenges for conservation arise from surrounding agrarian villages experiencing crop damage and safety threats from wild animals, particularly buffaloes and rhinos. Conservation organization Aaranyak, in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and supported by IUCN (CAG), has initiated various strategies to mitigate these issues and promote coexistence. Key interventions include the installation of solar streetlights in…

31 Jan

State Women Commissions Discuss Stronger Complaint Redressal Systems at NCW Capacity-Building Meet

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A delegation from Sikkim attended a two-day interactive and capacity-building meeting organised by the National Commission for Women in New Delhi, aimed at strengthening systems for the protection and welfare of women across the country. The meeting, titled “Shakti Samvaad,” was held on January 29 and 30, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam. It brought together Chairpersons and Member Secretaries of State Women Commissions from all parts of India for detailed discussions on improving the functioning of women-related institutions. The inaugural session was chaired by Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi. The session was also attended by Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, Chairperson of…

31 Jan

Report Alleges Targeted Violence Against Hindu Minorities in Bangladesh

Sonakshi SarkarNews

The Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has alleged a series of targeted attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, including arson and killings, in a report released on Friday. According to RRAG, at least 16 Hindu homes were set on fire between December 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, with seven incidents reported in the past week alone. The reported cases occurred in Mirsarai and Raozan (Chittagong region), Pirojpur, and Sylhet. The organisation listed several affected individuals from these areas whose homes were allegedly destroyed in the fires. RRAG Director Suhas Chakma claimed that attackers deliberately set fire to homes,…

31 Jan

JK Cement commissions Buxar plant, crosses 31 MTPA capacity; enters top five grey cement makers

Business BureauBusiness

JK Cement Ltd. on Thursday announced the commissioning of its new grey cement plant in Buxar, Bihar, taking its total production capacity to 31.26 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and making it India’s fifth-largest grey cement manufacturer. The new facility, spread across 100 acres, has a production capacity of 3 MTPA and marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion journey. With this addition, JK Cement has crossed the 30 MTPA threshold, strengthening its national footprint and long-term growth strategy. Commenting on the development, Dr. Raghavpat Singhania said the commissioning of the Buxar plant represents a strategic step towards expanding…